José H. Prado Flores, better known as Pepe Prado, was born on May 15, 1947, in Mexico City. In 1981, he married his wife Susan in Cana of Galilee. The couple has four children: Susan, Juan Marcos, David, and Ana Gabriela.
In 1969, José graduated with a philosophy degree from Instituto Superior de Estudios Eclesiasticos in Mexico City. In 1970, he received a diploma in Sacred Scriptures from Instituto Superior de Sagradas Escrituras, then returned to the Instituto Superior de Estudios Eclesiasticos to study theology from 1972 to 1973. In late 1971, José experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and his life was completely transformed—he discovered his vocation as an evangelist as a layperson in the Church. José left to study abroad and in 1977 graduated with high distinction from the Lumen Vitae International Institute of Catechetics and Pastoral Studies in Brussels, Belgium.
José then returned to Mexico City and taught Biblical studies at Instituto De Sagrada Escritura, Biblical languages at Instituto Superior de Estudios Eclesiasticos, and Biblical studies at Instituto Biblico Catolico in Guadalajara. In 2005, he became a professor at the Institute for heads of Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Rome In addition to magazine articles published in 15 countries, he has written some 30 books on the new evangelization and Charismatic Renewal movement, which have been translated into 25 languages. He has preached in 52 countries, including the Vatican. In addition, he has preached retreats for priests in 17 countries.
In 1980, he founded the School of Evangelization San Andres, which today includes 2,000 schools in 82 countries, all sharing the same vision, methodology, and training program. In 1981, he met and began working with Father Émiliano Tardif. Their collaborative efforts produced the KEKAKO (KErygma KArisma KOinonia) pastoral project in 1986. From 1987 to 1993, José served as the Latin American director for Evangelization 2000, and then from 1993 to 1998, represented Mexico on the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services Council in Rome and the ecumenical group ICCOWE.
Since that time, filled with the Holy Spirit and heeding Jesus’ words, “Go into the world and preach the good news to all creation” (Mc 16:15), the charismatic leader José H. Prado Flores has carried his message worldwide.